they realize that they will lose their jobs: immediately after the delivery? some time after? the interval between the delivery and the moment they realized it: minutes? hours? day? weeks? months? By any chance -- did they realize it prior to the delivery?

Will they lose their jobs because: they'll no longer be needed? They have done something wrong? Their employer will go out of business? Is a bet relevant? Lawsuit? Was the statue damaged in any way? Relevant what it depicted? Its weight? Size?

era: [LTPF list of centuries] please Could have taken place anytime since 1990 to present, but mostly likely within last 5-6 years

they realize that they will lose their jobs: immediately after the delivery? No, but some time after? Yes the interval between the delivery and the moment they realized it: minutes? Yes hours? day? weeks? months? By any chance -- did they realize it prior to the delivery? No

Are they working in tandem? Yes, very much soOr competing against one another? NoIllegally racing along a highway? NoIs it an Oscar? No but this is OTRTAre they on horseback? NoIs this in the USA? Yes The Wild West? No

Will they lose their jobs because: they'll no longer be needed? This is part of the reason, and...They have done something wrong? ...also part of the reasonTheir employer will go out of business? NoIs a bet relevant? Lawsuit? NeitherWas the statue damaged in any way? NoRelevant what it depicted? YesIts weight? Maybe, and...Size? ...may also be helpful to know

OK... Could it have happened at all before 1990? In 1975? In 1801? This exact scenario couldn't have happened until sometime after 2005, but with some variation could have happened as early as the 1950's

Were the two guys colleagues? Of a sort, yesEmployees of a delivery service (UPS, FedEx)? No

Was the statue a prize? Yes-ishWas Judy the intended recipient? YesThe statue depicted: a human? No an animal? Technically yes but explore a god? No

Size of the statue (less than): a football? Yes, it's the size of a football (other examples were N/A)

Was it delivered to Judy's premises? No - good qThe outcome would have been the same if only Felix would have been in the picture? No

Is the statue's material relevant? NoWas it made of [LTPF list of materials]? It doesn't matter - could have been wood, plastic, ceramic, brass, just about anythingWas it a trophy? No...but this is OTRT

Was it delivered directly to Judy? YesWas she on vacation at a time? NoDid they deliver it to an address? NoOr to her in person? Yes - good qDid Judy make the statue? NoIs it of a real animal? Yes, it's real, but 'animal' is vague and a bit misleading so exploreA fictional one? A unicorn? No - it's not this kind of thing, in fact it's something very common but most people wouldn't refer to it as an "animal", but it's not human or god

Could the statue be referred to as that of a "creature"? Yes, this works better than "animal", but there's still a better wordIs it a Sphinx? No, not this kind of "creature" - it's something you could see almost anywhere, all creatures of this certain type look exactly the same, they're so ordinary you wouldn't think it at all strange or unusual to see one or more of them.

Hmmm ... an animal (technically) but not something we'd call an animal. I absolutely refuse, as a matter of pride, to invoke the LTPF list of Linnaean classes. For now, at least :-) Ahhh, an old school puzzler? Bravo!

Is the animal (represented by the statue) a real animal? Yes Not a fictional one like a phoenix? Correct Not a sponge? (That would be a seriously weird statue.) A coral reef? A fish? None of theseIs the animal (in real life) about the same size as its statue? NO - good qIs the statue round, like a football? (Not that footballs are round in the US.) No, it's creature-shapedPaul the Psychic Octopus? Um, no, not thisMartin Loofa? (sorry) Not this either

Would it help to know what the statue is commemorating, or celebrating? YESIf not a trophy, is it still awarded to a sports team, or similar? No

Oops, he beat me to it. A giant fly? Well, a fly the size of a football

Did they lose their jobs because it was a fly? No Was it meant to be something else? NoSomething about aircraft? NoA pun on 'fly'? NoIs the award for something related to flight? No To bugs? Yes To plants? No

RECAP #1: So far we know that Felix and Hank made a trip to deliver a statue of a fly to Judy, and the delivery was made in person. The statue was a sort of prize/award which was commemorating something relevant. Some time after Felix, not Hank, makes the delivery, Felix and Hank realize that they will lose their jobs because they have done something wrong and they will no longer be needed. This happens in the U.S., and professions are relevant.

Is the fly statue connected to Judy's profession? No - meaning that Judy's profession has nothing directly to do with flies To her career? No To a hobby of hers? No To her age? No

Does the trip include several steps? Yes-ish

The reason why only Felix delivers the fly, without Hank, is that: Hank abandons the trip? No On purpose? So noFelix decides to continue alone? Did they get upset one against the other? No to both

Had Hank been present at the moment of the delivery, would they still lose their job? FA - Hank was present...Would they still have done something wrong? Good q, and here's the best answer I can give at this point - since Hank was there, they did something wrong; if Hank hadn't been present, then Felix probably couldn't have done the relevant wrong actionWould they still no longer be needed? Also good q - if Hank hadn't been present, it's possible and likely that he and Felix would both still be needed

Was Judy expecting the fly? Was she pleased to receive it? Insulted? Or just neutral, at the moment she received it? Was she a prizewinner (for svv of 'prize') or was she intending to award the fly later?

Was she the person who was supposed to receive it? Was it damaged in any way? Did she report either of them to their bosses?

Would this puzzle work with, say, a hedgehog in place of the fly?

Do both men work for the same boss? For the same company? In the same profession?

Was it a very light fly, like a mobile? Intended to be displayed in the air? Or does this not matter?

Was Judy expecting the fly? YesWas she pleased to receive it? We can assume so, yesInsulted? NoOr just neutral, at the moment she received it? See aboveWas she a prizewinner (for svv of 'prize') or was she intending to award the fly later? No, she was not a prizewinner but she was going to keep the awardWas she the person who was supposed to receive it? YesWas it damaged in any way? NoDid she report either of them to their bosses? No (this is a very funny question in light of the situation)Would this puzzle work with, say, a hedgehog in place of the fly? NoDo both men work for the same boss? No, and... For the same company? ...they don't work for a company, however...In the same profession?...yes

Was it a very light fly, like a mobile? Intended to be displayed in the air? Or does this not matter? Doesn't matter, it could have been this kind.

So, to clarify: Was it an award? Strictly speaking, yesWon Here's a lurking FA - "won" isn't really the best wordby somebody else than Judy? Yes, Judy did nothing on her own power to receive the awardWas it delivered at the intended address? Yes, but careful of another FA here...

Should we look out for something illegal happening? Not illegal, just "wrong"

Is Judy doing something morally dubious? Claiming the fly as her own when someone else deserves it? Is the real fly-earner another woman? Or a man? Or a group of people? Is there a reason (worth discovering) why the fly-earner didn't receive the fly herself (or himself)?

Can anyone earn a fly? Could I (if I put in enough effort) earn a fly? Is a fly a good thing to earn? Or is it more of a booby prize? Is it something awarded to bad restaurants, like the cockroach sticker sometimes seen in vile fleapits?

Did she earn it through the effort of someone else? Did she deserve it? Is she related to either man? Did she also lose her job?

Is Judy doing something morally dubious? No, not at allClaiming the fly as her own when someone else deserves it? NoIs the real fly-earner another woman? Or a man? No, it's...Or a group of people? ...really this, in a wayIs there a reason (worth discovering) why the fly-earner didn't receive the fly herself (or himself)? FA - not possible

Can anyone earn a fly? Could I (if I put in enough effort) Not possible to earn this through a person's or a group's efforts earn a fly? A person wouldn't earn this kind of awardIs a fly a good thing to earn? Well...Or is it more of a booby prize?...probably more like thisIs it something awarded to bad restaurants, like the cockroach sticker sometimes seen in vile fleapits? No, not in this case, but keep pursuing this idea because it's OTRT

Did she earn it through the effort of someone else? NoDid she deserve it? Yes, for a certain reasonIs she related to either man? NoDid she also lose her job? NoAre they public health inspectors? No

Hmmm ... she was pleased to received it, and not insulted. But it was a sort of booby prize. Are insect infestations relevant at all? Is Judy a public health inspector? Is she receiving it to commemorate the world's nastiest town? The one with the most flies? Are horses relevant? Dead horses (other than in my line of questioning, obviously)?

Does Judy belong to the group that has earned the fly? Judy "represents" the group, yesIs earning this award considered a bad thing? Yes or no, depending on how you feel about flies and bugsLike a Razzie? To some, yesHmmm ... she was pleased to received it, and not insulted. Yes, because there were other things going on that haven't been explore yetBut it was a sort of booby prize. Are insect infestations relevant at all? Yes - good qIs Judy a public health inspector? NoIs she receiving it to commemorate the world's Close! Not the world's though...nastiest town? No, but...The one with the most flies?...yes! This is what the award is for.Are horses relevant? Dead horses (other than in my line of questioning, obviously)? No, horses aren't relevant at all

Perhaps she's happy because she wants to draw attention to the bad hygiene of the town? Perhaps to embarrass the council, or such? Or does she like flies?

Do they actually deliver the fly to the wrong town? Or was it later discovered that Moucheville TX wasn't the most fly-ridden town after all? Given the volatility of fly populations, I suppose it's hard to be certain.

Is Judy an average citizen of the town? No, more than this, she's...A member of the town government?...yes, and more than just a member...Mayor?

Note: Regarding the "LTPF List Of All 50 States", it doesn't matter which state the relevant events took place in, so just pick your favorite and we'll go with it...California is the best of course :-D well...it used to be, anyway, when I learned the song in school. Now, not so much.

Perhaps she's happy because she wants to draw attention to the bad hygiene of the town? No, not for this reasonPerhaps to embarrass the council, or such? No, not this eitherOr does she like flies? Her feelings about flies aren't relevant

Do they actually deliver the fly to the wrong town? No, the fly statue is delivered to the intended person in the intended townOr was it later discovered that Moucheville TX wasn't the most fly-ridden town after all? Given the volatility of fly populations, I suppose it's hard to be certain. Moucheville, TX? Ok, let's go with that! As far as Felix, Hank and Judy are concerned, it doesn't really matter if their town is actually the most fly-ridden - the statue presentation is only one aspect of what's going on, so keep exploring.

RECAP #2: We've now found out that the fly statue is actually an "award" being given to Judy, the Mayor of Mouchville in recognition of their town as having the most flies/bugs of any place in the U.S. Now, keep in mind that it's some time after the delivery that Felix and Hank realize that they will lose their jobs.

The two guys are sculptors, who make flies to commemorate the Town With Most Flies award? And this was inaugurated in 2005? But the fly sculptures were so neat and well-crafted that town mayors began to covet them instead of being ashamed? So the Award was then abandoned, and our two intrepid fly-makers had to seek alternative employment? :-)

The two guys are sculptors, who make flies to commemorate the Town With Most Flies award? And this was inaugurated in 2005? But the fly sculptures were so neat and well-crafted that town mayors began to covet them instead of being ashamed? So the Award was then abandoned, and our two intrepid fly-makers had to seek alternative employment? :-) Wow - now that's impressive! Not at all the case in this puzzle, but certainly a well-thought-out possibility.

HINT: We now know everything we need to know about Judy, and everything we need to know about the statue.

Does Felix's profession involve flies? Statues? Does Hank's? No, their profession doesn't normally involve either of these (with the exception of this instance where Felix is giving a fly statue to Judy)

Did Felix actually present the fly in person? YesIs he a TV presenter? A journalist? No to theseA rival No, but he IS a...politician? Yes!A comedian? A prankster? No to theseSame qq for Hank. Hank works in politics, but more exploration is needed about him

Are flies awarded annually to different towns? Or was this a one-off? This was probably the first time for this award, but explore...Do Felix and Hank come from Moucheville or not? NO - good q

Does Hank work for Felix? YesIf Felix a mayor? Is Hank? Neither of them areDo they realize they'll be out of a job because they: see something? Yes, and...Hear something? ...yes, and...Read? ...yessmell? Feel? Not these, but lastly...Or someone? ...yes - this is realized because of a person who is seen

Are they senators? Congressmen? No, neither of them are these (and remember that they don't have the same job)Do they lose their jobs after an election? Yes!Is it a bit of a vote-loser to deliver dodgy flies to infested towns? NO...explore!

Is Felix the US President? Vice President? Someone in the House of Representatives? Secretary of State? Health Secretary? Tourism Secretary? (I'm afraid I'm not big on US politics, and probably haven't got the lingo right.) A senior member of Cabinet? A chief advisor?

Did they lose their jobs because of the Texas vote? Or the Moucheville vote? Or just because their reputation suffered nationally?

Was there a scandal of some kind? Are any other US policies relevant? Anything to do with Obama's healthcare proposals?

Not sure if anyone has asked this, but is it a true story? Or an adaptation thereof? Or complete fiction?

Does it matter whether it's a Republican or Democrat president?

Did the President think he was getting good publicity by awarding the fly?

Was he awarding the fly to a town in a state governed by his opponents? (Reminds me a little of Margaret Thatcher in the UK 20 years ago: she introduced a poll tax to try to shame her opponents for their bad record in local government, but it backfired spectacularly.) Is it anything like that?

Blimey: this is now getting very complex :-) Well...the statue is only a small part of the story, and I wondered when someone would open up the rest of it...

Not sure if anyone has asked this, but is it a true story? Or an adaptation thereof? Or complete fiction? This is complete fiction, but made up of a few elements of non-fictional antics

Does it matter whether it's a Republican or Democrat president? No, it doesn't

Did the President think he was getting good publicity by awarding the fly? YES - good q

Was he awarding the fly to a town in a state governed by his opponents? The state government is not relevant, but it is helpful to know that Felix thought he was getting good publicity

(Reminds me a little of Margaret Thatcher in the UK 20 years ago: she introduced a poll tax to try to shame her opponents for their bad record in local government, but it backfired spectacularly.) Is it anything like that? Well there's no specific policy or tactic involved, but there is something that backfired like that which should be investigated - nice q's

Did the President run for re-election with the slogan: 'There's No Flies On Me'? Ha ha, no...BUT, re-election is an element of this puzzle!

(in which case, of course, he would have been voted out for lousy grammar) If lousy grammar made one ineligible for political office, the United States would currently have no one in the Congress, because even the "smart" ones CANNOT correctly say the word "nuclear" - they ALL say "nu-kew-ler", as do our current and past president(s)

Okies, maybe a quick recap now that we've reframed the puzzle somewhat:

The US President wants to achieve good publicity in order to be re-elected. CorrectTo this end, he commissions a Town With Most Flies award, and awards it to the Mayor of Moucheville. Correct...at least this is part of what he does...

The voters are not impressed ... Yes and no, they are impressed up to a certain pointfor reasons that we need to deduce. That's rightIs this all correct? Have I omitted anything crucial? You did wellSo if Felix was Pres, would Hank be Vice-Pres? No, but it's certainly worthwhile to figure out what Hank does...

Is Hank working for the Federal Government? Yes, and see belowFor the state? For the town? Not theseIs he also a politician? An elected person? A judge? A teacher? None of theseOr maybe a contracted person (like a consultant)? This is closest

Is Hank a Cabinet member? Secretary of X? No to bothDoes President Felix commission any other awards? None that are relevantWas Mr. President acting following an advice from Hank? Was Hank a PR executive, who failed badly in his job? Was the failed election of Mr. President the reason why Hank lost his job? Yes, yes and yes!

Did the American people not think the idea of a "Town with Most Flies" award was in good taste? No, they were OK with it, and probably saw the humor in it for the most partSo they voted for the other candidate? No...the fact that Felix presented this award is not what made him lose supportAnd because Felix lost the election, Hank lost his job? Yes, this is correct

Was Mayor Judy expecting to receive the award? YesWas she pleased to receive it? Angry? Humored? Probably this, but not really relevant how she or anyone else felt about the awardDid he lose support before presenting the award? No, and...At that moment?...no, but... Shortly after? A long time after? A few minutes after it was presented - nice q's

Another long shot: was there another event unfolding, which needed immediate action by the President, and he was away, chasing flies so to speak? So the people thought the President is not doing his job?

Did another town make a claim that it had more flies? Did it prove it? Irrelevant and OTRT

Another long shot: was there another event unfolding, which needed immediate action by the President, and he was away, chasing flies so to speak? NoSo the people thought the President is not doing his job? Well this is what the people thought, at one point

RECAP #3: Felix, who is president of the US, presents the award to the city of Moucheville as the city with the most flies and bugs in the country - whether or not it really is the "buggiest" city is irrelevant, Felix is acting on advice from Hank, who is the president's PR man. Everything goes as planned with the delivery of the statue - Judy may or may not be happy to receive the "award", but that doesn't really matter. It's not until minutes after the statue is presented that something backfires (the "something wrong"), and Hank and Felix realize that in all likelihood Felix will not be re-elected in the coming presidential election. None of Felix's policies or political party connections are relevant.

Was there an error on the award? (For instance, did it refer to Mocheville as "the town with the most lies", omitting the f)? Does Felix make a mistake a few minutes after giving out the award? Like falling in a mud puddle? Did he suffer an injury? Throw up on Judy? Have some other embarrassing moment? Was the ceremony televised? Did many people not from Moucheville observe it? Is Moucheville a large city? Is it located in a "swing" state? Did they present the award after the Presidential Election but before inauguration? And there was a recount between Felix and the challenger in a swing state? And a few minutes after the award was given out it was announced that the challenger had won?

Was there an error on the award? (For instance, did it refer to Mocheville as "the town with the most lies", omitting the f)? No...everything about the award and the presentation of it went exactly as planned, without any errors

Does Felix make a mistake a few minutes after giving out the award? Yes!Like falling in a mud puddle? Did he suffer an injury? Throw up on Judy? None of these...Have some other embarrassing moment? Yes, and more than just embarrassing!Was the ceremony televised? YESDid many people not from Moucheville observe it? YESIs Moucheville a large city? Not relevantIs it located in a "swing" state? Probably, but not relevantDid they present the award after the Presidential Election but before inauguration? No, it was presented prior to voting dayAnd there was a recount between Felix and the challenger in a swing state? N/AAnd a few minutes after the award was given out it was announced that the challenger had won? No, not this scenario

Did not many people from Moucheville have televisions? So they didn't know about the award? Was the award ceremony announced ahead of time? Was it written about after the fact? Was the award actually presented to Judy in Moucheville?

Did not many people from Moucheville have televisions? Not relevantSo they didn't know about the award? No - safe assumption that the whole town knew about the awardWas the award ceremony announced ahead of time? Yes, for sureWas it written about after the fact? NoWas the award actually presented to Judy in Moucheville? Yes

Semi-confusing hint: The "embarrassing moment" has nothing to do with the statue at all, yet it was necessary to know what the statue was for.

Was it televised on a main channel? Safe to assume, yesIn place of something else? That was important? Not relevant Or that other people wanted to watch? Not relevantThus making Felix seem like a total moron? Well...something did happen that made Felix seem like a moron, but not this

Was it televised opposite something else relevant? Or...did the TV station show commercials for bug spray or something immediately after the ceremony? During the ceremony? Before the ceremony? None of this is relevant - it is safe to assume that everyone in Moucheville and any TV watcher who was interested in Felix was OK with the fact that the award ceremony was on TV, it didn't matter that they were missing another show, and commercials aren't at all relevant

Is any other TV program relevant? Did it air just before a fly-safety program or something? No - the thing that's relevant about TV is that it made Felix look foolish to more people than just Judy, thus costing him the election

RECAP #4: In this puzzle, it can be assumed that Felix and Hank arrived in Moucheville as planned, everyone in the town expected Felix and knew why he was there - to present the award to Judy. All of this happened without any problems, exactly as expected to all who were involved. This ceremony is credited to Hank, who wants Felix to get publicity for the upcoming election. However, a few minutes after the award is presented correctly, something happened that made Felix look very foolish. What happened isn't related to the statue or Judy at all, but it's necessary to know that Felix came to town to give this particular award. The ceremony was televised, but anything else that may have been on TV (shows, commercials, etc) is completely irrelevant.

Did Felix swat a fly? YES, probably several of them, and...Get attacked by flies?...this too! OTRT now!Thinking about when Obama killed a fly on TV....Well this isn't what happened to Felix but now you've discovered the significance of the award, so keep exploring!

So Felix, shortly after presenting an award for the Town with Most Flies, gets attacked by flies and swats several of them, correct? Would this seemingly downplay the significance of the award? Point out the irony of the award? And make Felix look foolish? For not preparing for potential fly attacks? In the (now-official) Town with Most Flies?

So Felix, shortly after presenting an award for the Town with Most Flies, gets attacked by flies and swats several of them, correct? Yes, but something else happened...Would this seemingly downplay the significance of the award? Point out the irony of the award? No, actually the opposite, it would make a strong case for the award (and that is what's relevant about the award)And make Felix look foolish? There is something about the "fly attack" that makes him look foolish, but it's more than just the presence of a lot of bugs...For not preparing for potential fly attacks? YES, this element is VERY RELEVANT!In the (now-official) Town with Most Flies? There were certainly a lot of bugs around, probably even more than were expected...

Was Felix's clothing relevant? NoWas he in a suit? Probably, but it doesn't matterDid he bring bug spray? Ha ha, I'm sure that after the embarrassing moment he'd wished that he did...Wear bug spray? not relevant

So...after presenting the award, a fly went into Felix's mouth, which was probably funny but not that unusual since the town is famous for having a lot of bugs. There's not much else to know about Felix, but Hank...

Had Hank warned Felix about this? No, although Hank did warn Felix about something that is very relevant but hasn't been explored yet...Did another of Hank's PR campaigns mention flies? Felix's mouth? Something about "the words coming out of my mouth"? Something like this? No, not like this

Did he congratulate the town? Probably, but he had other things to say...Did he say something like "May you never get flies in your mouth"? And then...IT HAPPENED? Well, he didn't say this, and the actual words he spoke aren't really what's most important

Relevant who he said the thing to? It may help to know this To Judy? To the townspeople? To the flies? To those watching? Yes, to all of these (although the flies probably didn't care), and there's a critical FA that needs to be cleared up!

The thing he said - was it about flies? The town? The townspeople? The award? Himself? Judy? Hank? People watching on TV? He may have mentioned any and all of this, but would not have mentioned Hank (who should not be ignored, by the way)

Did Hank write the speech for Felix? Yes, this is part of why he's relevantThe critical thing about the speech - was it a certain sentence? Phrase? NoThe length of the speech? Um, not exactly, but you're sort of OTRT

Did Frank die or otherwise become incapacitated, so that it was not physically possible for him to become the next president? Was Hank's warning true? Or it was misleading? Are there anything to find out about Hank, apart from the fact that he wrote the speech and warned Felix of something yet to be determined? After those few minutes, did the people realize that Felix was lying in his speech? In one of his previous speeches?

Did Felix mention anything about the town other than the amount of flies? Not relevantCould you please recap #5? See belowDid Frank die or otherwise become incapacitated, so that it was not physically possible for him to become the next president? This isn't relevant, but who is Frank?Was Hank's warning true? YesOr it was misleading? NoAre there anything to find out about Hank, apart from the fact that he wrote the speech and warned Felix of something yet to be determined? Yes, without a doubt!After those few minutes, did the people realize that Felix was lying in his speech? Not that he was lying, but they did realize something else - good q, explore this issue!In one of his previous speeches? The amount of truth or lies in this speech or any of his previous speeches is irrelevant

RECAP #5: After presenting the award, Felix gave a speech that was written by Hank. It is at a point during this speech that a bug flies into Felix's mouth. It is not at all relevant what Felix was talking about in the speech, whether he was saying things that were true or false, or anything else about the content of the speech. What is relevant is that Hank warned Felix about something, Hank and Felix probably didn't expect there to be as many bugs around, and something happened that caused Felix not only embarrassment but also ruined his chance for re-election. The bug flying into Felix's mouth was embarrassing, but this is NOT what Hank warned him about, nor what made him seem un-electable.

When the fly flew into his mouth, did he swear? NO, but it's very important what DID happen at this point!And in so doing, did he alienate the fine, upstanding, God-fearing voters of Moucheville? No, but what happened DID have an effect on the town as well as those watching on TV!

Did he spit it out? Did he curse? Did he overreact? Did he wonder out loud what was up all the flies? Did Hank warn him about something to do with the bugs? Did he heed the warning? Ignore it? Misunderstand it? Was there something wrong with the warning? Did he think the fly was dangerous? Or tasty?

Did he spit it out? At some point, but this isn't the relevant action...Did he curse? Maybe, but also not the most relevant action...Did he overreact? IrrelevantDid he wonder out loud what was up all the flies? NO, he didn't wonder ANYTHING out loud...explore! Did Hank warn him about something to do with the bugs? NO - Hank's warning did NOT concern these bugs or any bugs - good q!Did he heed the warning? No, he followed it as best he couldIgnore it? No, certainly notMisunderstand it? No, he understood perfectlyWas there something wrong with the warning? No, the warning was clear and easily understoodDid he think the fly was dangerous? Or tasty? Irrelevant

Did he swallow the fly? Very possible, which could have caused the critical momentDid Hank ask him to swallow a spider? (Closely followed by a bird, a cat, a dog, a cow and a horse?) Ha ha, no...

Sorry, I jest. I do too, so you aren't aloneDid Hank pat him firmly on the back? No, Hank wasn't near enough Felix to do thisWas there a fear that the Pres would choke on the fly? There was a fear of something going wrong, but not this

Did Hank rebuke him for having his mouth open? Ah, no, Hank wanted his mouth to be open...Did Hank proceed to deliver the President's speech himself? No, but you're onto a major issue here...And made a dog's breakfast of it? No, but even if he had it probably would have been better for Felix than what actually DID happenDid Hank make a politically incorrect remark? No - it's a very very safe assumption that aside from Felix and a couple of other people, nobody even knew Hank was there

Was there a problem with Felix's voice? Pitch relevant? Did his voice not sound "presidential" enough (according to Hank)? So someone else recorded the speech? Did Hank record the speech? No - the speech was recorded by Felix himself, so it is his own voice that is heard.

This whole appearance by Felix is Hank's idea - it's an opportunity for Felix to promote himself for re-election as President. After the award is presented, Felix speaks to the crowd and TV audience. The whole thing backfires when Felix swallows a flying bug, and it is revealed that he's lip-syncing a pre-recorded speech when Felix's words keep going while he's obviously unable to speak. Hank had warned Felix about something - not the bugs, not the town, not even the content of the speech. The warning was issued in the form of "Felix, THIS may happen so I suggest that we record your speech ahead of time so if THIS does happen it won't ruin the event. So, what is the THIS that Hank warned Felix about?

HINT: The warning concerns something that has happened to the current US President, and while he hasn't been as badly embarrassed as Felix, it has caused much criticism and speculation as to his fitness as an elected official.

Ah, might this be the Obama stutter? Perhaps the President is being teased about his stutter, so his PR man advises him to lip-synch. When he swallows the fly in Moucheville, it looks like he is stuttering more severely than usual, so the electors think he might be drunk?

Ah, might this be the Obama stutter? Perhaps the President is being teased about his stutter, so his PR man advises him to lip-synch. When he swallows the fly in Moucheville, it looks like he is stuttering more severely than usual, so the electors think he might be drunk? No, but here's something to think about - Obama and other present and past world leaders do stutter sometimes, yet at other times they speak without flaw. Hank planned for Felix to speak flawlessly, and the recorded speech was a backup plan in case there was a chance that Felix got into a spot where he would have to pause, or stutter, or uh....um...

In case the teleprompter broke? Or otherwise stopped working? So even if the teleprompter broke, it would seem like Felix continued on with the speech? And thus wasn't using a teleprompter in the first place?

In case the teleprompter broke? Or otherwise stopped working? So even if the teleprompter broke, it would seem like Felix continued on with the speech? And thus wasn't using a teleprompter in the first place?

Hank knew that Felix was a popular person, popular enough to get elected, but not very good at speeches and needed help with communicating his thoughts. He suggested the recorded speech so that if the teleprompter stopped working (which it did, shortly after the statue was presented) Felix would not have to "fend for himself" (stumble over words, forget what he was supposed to say). But of course, all this ended up badly for Felix thanks to a fly.

Excellent work by all, congrats to Balin for the final pieces!

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